How-To Write Lesson 7: Fun and Games

Welcome to lesson 7 in our Save The Cat beat sheet series on story structure: beat 8! Beat 8 is called fun and games and it involves multiple scenes. It also runs through 1/3 of your novel. Yeah, it is big and important. It takes place throughout the 20-to-50% mark in your story. And just …

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How-To Build Characters Worth Reading About

This a post that has been on my mind for some time. Though my recent posts have focused solely on the Save The Cat Beat Sheet formula for building a narrative, the most vital part of any writers narrative is character. Let's dive in! The Why's and Types Why use archetypes? you might be wondering. …

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How-To Write Lesson 5: Break Into 2

Welcome back to my writing series on the Save The Cat storytelling structure! So far in this series, we have covered Narrative Structures, Opening Image, Theme and Set-Up, the finally, the Catalyst and Debate. In last week's post, we ended on Debate, the final beat (a scene or several scenes that move the narrative forward) …

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How-To Write Lesson 3: Theme and Set-Up

We've been talking story structure in this how-to series, using the Save The Cat beats because this particular structure works well for the disorganized mind. My disorganized mind. In case you missed it, the previous beat can be found here. And in case you forgot, "a story beat is a shift in the narrative. Story …

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How-To Write: a series

Many of you that follow this blog have done so because of the resources and writing advice. My content of late has been all-over the map, but that has been more about building my portfolio than anything else. Apparently prospective employers want to see a variety of content. But I want to make it up …

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How To: Build Your Pitch (or Logline)

Writing your pitch is harder than writing the book but it doesn't have to be. With this basic...

Mama Bear: Part 1

Since I am currently adapting Mama Bear into a screenplay, I thought I'd repost the story. Enjoy! She stood in the kitchen chewing her bottom lip. Her gloves were already on. She needed 3 more things. First, the knife and measuring cup: Her heart was pounding as she reached deep into the back of the …

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How To Choose Between Traditional and Self-Publishing

What kind of writer am I? The point of a writer asking themselves that question is really to help initiate the goal process. As we all know, goal-setting is important in writing. Nothing ever gets written if I don't force myself to make the time to sit down and write. When it came to writing …

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How To: Build Your Pitch (or Logline)

Writing your pitch is harder than writing the book but it doesn't have to be. With this basic...

What type of Writer Am I?

It's an important question to ask yourself because the answer can help aspiring authors determine what kind of publishing to seek out. As none of you know (because I've never blogged about it), I am currently MIA from all socials and blogging because I'm in school. I'm almost done with my BA in English and …

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